K-Wings return last season’s team MVP- Martin and defenseman Matczak

KALAMAZOO- If successful hockey teams build from the net on out, then the Kalamazoo Wings may have just brought back one of the sturdiest foundations in the entire ECHL with the signing of Joel Martin.

There was no debate on who the most valuable player for the Kalamazoo Wings was last season. Martin rewrote the team’s ECHL record book for lowest goals per game (2.70), appearances (63), minutes (3,739), victories (31), save percentage (0.924) and saves (2,051).

Redefining his position, not only did Martin patrol the K-Wings pipes for 63 games, from November 23, 2012-February 23, 2013, he protected the crease in 39 consecutive contests.

"Joel’s conditioning and competiveness gives our team a chance to win every night," said Nick Bootland, director of hockey operations/head coach. "His play between the pipes was one of the main reasons we had a chance for a post-season berth last season.”

Earning the Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week once (January 21st-Janaury 27th) last year, Martin was arguably one of the best goaltenders in the league while being the most tested.

Putting the team on his back, Martin had 11 games (a league-high), including three in a row, in which he made 40 or more saves. On four occasions last season, Martin turned aside 46 shots (January 16th Vs Elmira, February 10th @ Reading, March 6th Vs Toledo and March 23 @ Evansville) to tie his own K-Wings’ team record for most saves in a single-game.

Besides being named the K-Wings’ Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive Most Valuable Player, Martin was also proclaimed the team’s WZUU Most Popular Player during the team’s award ceremony.

Martin, who will be entering his 12th season of professional hockey, will be entering his fifth in Kalamazoo.

Joel Martin

In a career, that has highlights of earning the Central Hockey League Goaltender of the Year (2009-10) and being called-up to the NHL (New York Islanders), one of Martin’s biggest accomplishments occurred in a K-Wings uniform. During the 2005-06 season, Martin went 12-1 with a GAA of 1.84 and a save percentage of 0.934 en route to helping the K-Wings capture the United Hockey League’s Colonial Cup.

Joining Martin back in Kalamazoo will be defenseman Mike Matczak (matt-ZACK). A third-year pro, Matczak has split each of the past three seasons in the American Hockey League and with the K-Wings.

Last season, Matczak spent time with both the Manchester Monarchs and the Abbotsford Heat. In 23 games with the K-Wings, the native of Sewell, New Jersey notched six points (1 goal, 5 assists).

"Mike is a young defenseman that is continuing to develop his overall game," said Bootland. "In his time in the AHL, he showed he has the poise to play in all situations.”

A four-year standout at Yale University, Matczak 39 points (8 goals, 31 assists) with the Bulldogs in 114 games and ranked in the top three amongst his team’s defensemen in three of his four years at Yale.

The addition of Martin and Matczak gives the K-Wings 13 players signed for the upcoming 2013-14 season. The K-Wings 40th Anniversary season will commence on Saturday, October 19th at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana against the Evansville IceMen.

The K-Wings will begin the home portion of their schedule a week later. On Saturday, October 26th the K-Wings and IceMen will face-off at Wings Stadium for Kalamazoo’s home opener, during the 10th Annual Orange Ice Game. Fans are encouraged to dress in costumes and participate in Halloween festivities.

Season and flexi-plan tickets for the upcoming 40th Anniversary season of K-Wings hockey are currently on sale at the K-Wings front office. Fans can purchase their tickets during regular business hours by calling a K-Wings Ticket Representative at (269) 743-6011.